Your Guide to Air Conditioning

How To Avoid Rogue Air Conditioning Contractors

Several things to do in choosing an air conditioning company

When you are in the process of choosing an air conditioning company, it can be pretty complicated. If you don’t choose wisely, you may end up becoming the victim of a rogue contractor. There are several things you can do to avoid this fate. Continue reading these information below if you would like to know more.

Ask About Their Fee Schedule

Every contractor you are considering should be questioned about their fee schedule. It is important for you to know how much and when they expect to be paid. Be careful of companies that ask for full payment up front. While there is nothing wrong with a contractor asking for a deposit in good faith, you should never agree to prepay for services. There is always a chance that the contractor will take your money and disappear without performing the services requested.

Require A Written Agreement

Back in the day, many people contracted with others by making a verbal agreement. While this is legally acceptable in many areas, it is not something that you should consider. If you take the time to write out an agreement, everyone involved will know exactly what is expected of them. This will also help clear up any confusion if there are questions about things later. If you ask for a written contract and you are told that this is not an option, you should err on the side of caution and seek another contractor.

Verify Their Business Address

There are some contractors who pretend to be part of a larger organization and in reality they are independent contractors with no licenses, insurance or legitimacy. One way to figure out if this is the type of person you are dealing with would be to do an Internet search for the address that was provided to you. In the event that you perform a search and you are shown a view of a residential street, you should definitely be concerned.

Call Their Insurance Company

Unfortunately, there are some air conditioning contractors who are continuing to work, despite the fact that their insurance policy is no longer valid. This means that you may end up being liable if there is work done on your property and someone is hurt during the process. Even if they show you a card with the insurance company name on it, it is important to call to verify the information and make sure that the policy is not canceled or expired.

Look For Reviews

These days it is quite common for people to write reviews about their service experiences with different companies. Reading reviews can give you a good idea of what to expect. If you are searching and you find no evidence of the company actually existing, this is a clear red flag. Other bad signs include high ratings with no explanation and long, ranting negative reviews.

There are too many reputable companies who provide quality heating, air conditioning and plumbing services for you to allow yourself to get stuck with a bad one. Use the advice here and you will increase the chances of finding someone who is high-quality.